Christian killed, hundreds forced to flee in Mosul, Iraq

A Christian music store owner, Farques Batool, was killed and his nephew injured when gunmen stormed into his store in the city of Mosul on the evening of October 11 and opened fire. The murder was the latest in a series of recent deadly attacks on Christians in the city (see the September 24 story and the October 8 story). Batool had reportedly refused to join other Christians who were fleeing the city under threat of violence from Islamist militants because he needed to care for his wife, daughter and mother, as well as the family of his dead brother. His family has since fled Mosul in fear for their lives, leaving his wounded nephew in the hospital.

Over the past week, approximately 325 Christian families have fled Mosul. Armed Muslims entered local churches and homes and told believers that they would be killed if they did not vacate the city. Several Christians have sought refuge in relatives' homes, churches and monasteries in the six Christian villages that make up Telkep County and in the predominantly Christian county of Mahmoudiya.

Pray that the Batool family will find strength and comfort in the refuge God provides (Psalm 127). Pray that the faithfulness of Iraqi Christians will be a light that draws others to Christ.

For more information on the difficulties facing Iraq's Christian community, go to the Iraq Country Report. A video about the current situation in Mosul can be viewed on YouTube (click here).

Christian charged with anti-government propaganda in Iran

The charge against Ramtin has sparked concern that he may be tried under a draft law currently under review by the Council of Guardians that proposes a mandatory death penalty for apostasy (click here for more information). Ramtin's father, Pastor Hussein Soodmand, was the last man in Iran to be executed for apostasy in 1990.

Pray for the Soodmand family as another of their loved ones faces trial and hardship for Christ’s sake. Pray that Ramtin will be released and the charges against him dropped.

Learn more about the persecution of Iran's Christians by visiting the Iran Country Report.

Christians beaten and arrested in India

Christians who were gathered for a three-day prayer meeting in Dumarbhavna village, Surguja district, Chhattisgarh state were viciously beaten on October 3, according to an October 13 report from Compass Direct. Around midnight, a mob of Hindu militants entered the house where the meeting was being held and attacked the sleeping Christians. Three believers -- Muneshwar Ekka, Beik, and Ravi Devangan -- were forced into vehicles belonging to the militants and brought to a secluded place where they were further beaten. Muneshwar Ekka and Beik were then told to beat Ravi Devangan or face their own death. In fear for their lives, they beat Devangan until he was unconscious.

When local Christians reported the beating to the police the next day, they were assured that if they did not file a complaint against the militants, no complaints would be filed against the three Christians. However, the police later registered a "forcible conversion" case against the men. Another Christian, Fakir Chand Toppo, was falsely accused of the same charge. If found guilty, they could be fined or imprisoned for up to a year. At last report, the four were detained in a local jail.

Pray for these men as they await a sentence. Pray that those who falsely accuse Christians of forcible conversion will understand that the Good News is a free gift, not coercion, and respond in faith to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

To learn more about the struggles of Christians in India, please visit the India Country Report.

Update: Christians continue to be maligned and attacked in Orissa, India

Hindu militants continue to malign Christians for the murder of Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and target them in widespread violence that began in late August in Orissa, India (see links on India's Country Report for more information).

Maoist groups have claimed responsibility for the murder and, on October 6, three Maoist individuals were arrested in connection with the crime. However, a Hindu militant group recently released a document that allegedly implicates the Christians: a copy of the minutes from a pastoral council meeting held in Kandhamal district in May during which the militants claim a plan to assassinate Swami was discussed. The pastoral council has vehemently denied the accuracy of the minutes, and claim that their signatures on the document were forged.

Remember your brothers and sisters in India in your prayers. Ask God to give strength to those who suffer for His sake. Pray for peace in this terror-stricken region.

For more information on the plight of Christians in India, click here. To watch a BBC video report about attacks on Christians in Orissa, click here.